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LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

The gold medal-winning Russian junior hockey team made it out of Buffalo in orderly fashion Friday.

Team Russia was kicked off a Delta Airlines flight on Thursday, after airlines officials claimed players were "unruly" as they tried to board, following their gold medal victory in the World Junior Hockey Championship the night before.

Team officials have denied that the players were intoxicated after Wednesday night's stunning win over Canada, despite being captured on video drinking at a hotel bar.

Team Russia set out for home again Friday morning at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and this time with better results.

The team left the Days Hotel on Genesee Street at about 7 a.m. Friday with about 5,000 pounds of luggage and an escort from Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police.

The players signed autographs and mugged for the cameras as they gathered at the airport for their departure.

Mikhail Zislis, the team's media officer, thanked Buffalo for its hospitality and told the American hosts to continue to "support hockey as best you can."

The team's plane was bound for Moscow via New York City and Atlanta.

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Winter open house set at new Niagara Street site

The Buffalo Maritime Center will host a winter open house from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the center's new location at 1250 Niagara St. New director Roger Allen will be introduced at 7 p.m. Allen was formerly historic sites manager at the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, Fla.

Wooden boat enthusiasts are welcome. A light supper will be served. For information, call 881-0111.

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Hot drinks, cold blood on menu for Reptile House

Scaly creatures will have the spotlight from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on next Saturday as the Buffalo Zoo holds a program entitled "Warm Up With the Cold-Blooded" in the Reptile House.

Visitors will enjoy hot drinks, watch snakes being fed, hear talks from zookeepers and have a chance to win prizes in contests. Those with cameras also can have pictures taken with a zoo reptile. All activities are free with zoo admission. For information, call 837-3900.

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Flynn elevated to president of Western New York unit

Patrick T. Flynn has been named president of the Hospice Foundation of Western New York, moving up from his previous position as vice president.

The Buffalo State College graduate has been in the development field for more than 25 years and received his certification as a fundraising executive in 1998.

His responsibilities include overseeing the activities of the Hospice Foundation and the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care's marketing department.

The Kenmore resident is a past recipient of the Western New York Fund-Raiser of the Year Award from the Western New York Chapter of the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals.